The left panel, where it lists Navigator, Catalog, Folders & Collections...

Under the Folders tab, I have listed my external drive in which I keep all my photos (Drive F). Underneath the Drive F label, I have lists of various folders on that drive with titles I've given them.

My question: I expected this list, on the left panel of LR, to automatically populate itself so that the folder titles/hierarchy would mirror what is shown in Drive F if I looked at the drive within 'computer' in Vista.

Well, it doesn't. Fair enough. So then, when I right-click on a folder and select 'sync', I expected the listing to then mirror the folder arrangement within 'computer' in Vista.

It still doesn't do that. I have sub-folders that are simply not showing up within the LR panel unless I manually create the folders and 'move' my images to them (still within LR).

Bottom line: It seems I have to update this Folder panel manually. And its structure seems to be straight-up alphabetical, with no indication of folders/sub-folders.

I'm sure the problem lies within me and not the software. I'd appreciate a little guidance as to how I can make the Folders panel automatically stay current.

If I understand correctly you are creating folders outside of lightroom.
If so Lightroom will not recognize anything that is not imported by Lightroom. You need to specify how Lightroom will handle files as they are imported.
If I misunderstood you pleas disregard all of this .
Troy

It sounds like it's trying to prevent you from having the same file in multiple locations...
(Which, while it might be helpful, still sounds weird.)

I don't think empty folders will show up (but they might).

What, exactly, are you trying to do? It sounds like the easiest thing might be to delete all of the folders in LR, and start over. Re-import everything.

You're making new folders inside of LR, and outside of it. You shouldn't ever have to create a folder in LR. It gets created automatically when you import the pictures in it.
Don't import anything until you have the file where you want it.